Over 40 Children’s Medicines Recalled: 4/30/10

UPDATE: A friend of mine who’s a physician just sent me this link to further educate yourselves about using these medicines with children under the age of 12. Here are her insights into the situation (Thanks, Heather!):

It boils down to this, though- the stuff is not tested on children (for obvious ethical reasons) so we can’t assume it’s safe for them just because it is safe for adults. Children are not just little adults- they have different physiology and metabolism. Furthermore, most of the stuff is either too weak to be of any use (waste of many) or carries too many side effects to be safe. There is nothing worse than trying to examine a lethargic or irritable child and try to determine if they are gravely ill or just doped up by their well meaning parents!

I just learned from WSMV Ch. 4 News in Nashville that over 40 liquid children’s medications have been recalled due to quality control issues (whatever that means! Seriously, why is it always our kids medicine that fails to meet standards? scary!)

According to their website:
More than 40 over-the-counter infant’s and children’s liquid medications are being recalled in the United States and 11 other countries because they don’t meet quality standards.

McNeil Consumer Healthcare issued the recall for children’s versions of Tylenol, Tylenol Plus, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl after consulting with the Food and Drug Administration. The company is recalling the products because some did not meet required quality standards…some of the products recalled may have a higher concentration of active ingredient than is specified on the bottle, others may contain particles, while still others may contain inactive ingredients that do not meet internal testing requirements.